Rex & Evans: Kenyans Raise Ksh2 Million For Families Of Killed Protesters

In a spirited show of unity, the families of the two victims of the Anti-Finance Bill protests have received Ksh1 million each raised by Kenyans in solidarity with their fallen colleagues.

Rex Kanyike Masai and Evans Kiratu lost their lives due to severe injuries caused by excessive police action during the protests held in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).

Popular online activist and reporter Hanifa Adan announced this on X on Friday, June 28, sharing screenshots of the transactions, with Ksh 1 million sent to each of the two families.

She added that the remainder would be sent to the family of another protester who was shot three times during the protests to the point of being paralysed.

A picketer being arrested by police officers on June 20, 2024. /HOLYCK.X

"Hello, guys. Remember Rex and Evans? The first victims of this cruel regime. We have sent one million each to their families that’s their mum," she wrote in part.

"The remaining will be sent to the family of Ian, who was shot three times in the back and won’t be able to walk again. This is minus the hospital bills."

A screenshot shared by Adan showed that of the amount contributed, Ksh127,494 was charged as a platform fee, and a total of Ksh 2,999,846 was withdrawn to be equally sent to the two families.

Due to the bank transaction limit, the amount had to be sent in instalments. Adan added, "He will receive it tomorrow since the bank limit can’t allow us today."

Kanyike was the first fatality from excessive police force. The 29-year-old died after being shot in the thigh by a police officer during the Thursday, June 20 protests.

CCTV footage revealed a chaotic scene along Moi Avenue, where passersby scrambled for safety as law enforcement officers advanced with clubs, pistols, and tear gas.

Rex, a 29-year-old who witnesses stated was merely on his way home from work, found himself caught in the turmoil. The video showed an officer throwing an object, possibly a stone, towards the protesters.

As the crowd fled down Mama Ngina Street, another group ran for their lives, unaware of the impending disaster. In a desperate moment, one individual dropped a phone, hesitated, but then abandoned it upon seeing a police officer brandishing a pistol.

From another angle, a plain-clothes officer fired the shot that was said to have tragically hit Rex. 

The aftermath revealed Rex lying on the street, grievously wounded by a bullet in his thigh. A friend, who was unidentified for security reasons, rushed him to Bliss Medical Centre near the National Archives. Unfortunately, the medical assistance came too late, and Rex succumbed to his injuries minutes later.

For Kiratu, the family confirmed that they found his body at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) mortuary.

"He was hit by a teargas canister in his private parts, so he was not able to walk or do anything, and he brought him to KNH where he was admitted. Before he reached here, yesterday he passed on," a relative of the family said, further demanding justice for their kin on behalf of the family.